Notice2022-25920
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Primary source
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Published
November 29, 2022
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces the establishment of a computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission" or "Agency") and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Revenue ("DHSDOR"). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 228 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73300-73301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25920]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FR ID: 115399]
Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of establishment of a matching program.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(``Privacy Act''), this document announces the establishment of a
computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission
(``FCC'' or ``Commission'' or ``Agency'') and the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Wisconsin
Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Revenue
(``DHSDOR''). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the
eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of the Universal Service
Fund (USF) Lifeline program, which is administered by USAC under the
direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
DATES: Written comments are due on or before December 29, 2022. This
computer matching program will commence on December 29, 2022, and will
conclude 18 months later.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3060425946515349705653531e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d7d5f445b4c4e546d4b4e4e034a425b">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot Tarloff at 202-418-0886 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#faaa88938c9b9983ba9c9999d49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7a7859e8196948eb7919494d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for
discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers.
Lifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) under FCC direction. Consumers qualify for Lifeline
through proof of income or participation in a qualifying program, such
as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP),
Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, and/or various Tribal-specific
federal assistance programs. In a Report and Order adopted on March 31,
2016, the Commission ordered USAC to create a National Lifeline
Eligibility Verifier (``National Verifier''), including the National
Lifeline Eligibility Database (LED), that would match data about
Lifeline applicants and subscribers with other data sources to verify
the eligibility of an applicant or subscriber. The Commission found
that the National Verifier would reduce compliance costs for Lifeline
service providers, improve service for Lifeline subscribers, and reduce
waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. The purpose of this particular
matching program is to verify Lifeline eligibility by establishing that
applicants or subscribers in Wisconsin are enrolled in the SNAP,
Medicaid, SSI, or Income Verification programs.
Participating Non-Federal Agency
<bullet> Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin
Department of Revenue.
Authority for Conducting the Matching Program
47 U.S.C. 254; 47 CFR 54.400 et seq.; Lifeline and Link Up Reform
and Modernization, et al., Third Report and Order, Further Report and
Order, and Order on Reconsideration, 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006-21, paras.
126-66 (2016) (2016 Lifeline Modernization Order).
Purpose(s)
In the 2016 Lifeline Modernization Order, the FCC required USAC to
develop and operate the National Verifier to improve efficiency and
reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. The stated
purpose of the National Verifier is ``to increase the integrity and
improve the performance of the Lifeline program for the benefit of a
variety of Lifeline participants, including Lifeline providers,
subscribers, states, community-based organizations, USAC, and the
Commission.'' 31 FCC Rcd 3962, 4006, para. 126. To help determine
whether Lifeline applicants and subscribers are eligible for Lifeline
benefits, the Order contemplates that the USAC-operated LED will
communicate with information systems and databases operated by other
Federal and State agencies. Id. at 4011-2, paras. 135-7.
Categories of Individuals
The categories of individuals whose information is involved in the
matching program include, but are not limited to, those individuals
(residing in a single household) who have applied for Lifeline
benefits; are currently receiving Lifeline benefits; are individuals
who enable another individual in their household to qualify for
Lifeline benefits; are minors whose status qualifies a parent or
guardian for Lifeline benefits; are individuals who have received
Lifeline benefits; or are
[[Page 73301]]
individuals acting on behalf of an eligible telecommunications carrier
(ETC) who have enrolled individuals in the Lifeline program.
Categories of Records
The categories of records involved in the matching program include,
but are not limited to, the last four digits of the Lifeline
applicant's Social Security Number, and first and last name. The
National Verifier will transfer these data elements to the Wisconsin
Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Revenue which
will respond either ``yes'' or ``no'' that the individual is enrolled
in a Lifeline-qualifying assistance program: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or
Income Verification.
System(s) of Records
The USAC records shared as part of this matching program reside in
the Lifeline system of records, FCC/WCB-1, Lifeline Program, a notice
of which the FCC published at 86 FR 11526 (Feb. 25, 2021).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-25920 Filed 11-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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